Comprehensive Motorcycle Detailing and Paint Protection Guide (Jan 2026)

Never apply water or chemicals to a hot engine. Thermal shock can crack cast components or cause instant chemical etching. Ensure the engine is cool to the touch (below 30°C). Check the bike for oil or coolant leaks that might be exacerbated by high-pressure rinsing.

Identify air intakes, exposed ECU connectors, and aftermarket exhaust baffles. Use low-tack painter's tape and plastic wrap to seal these areas. While modern bikes are water-resistant, high-pressure water can bypass seals, leading to electrical gremlins.

Prepare your buckets using the 'Two Bucket Method' with grit guards. Dilute your snow foam at a 1:9 ratio and your APC at 1:10 for general cleaning. In summer, work in a fully shaded area with a surface temperature below 25°C to prevent chemicals from flash-drying.

Place the bike on a paddock stand or centre stand. This allows for free rotation of the wheels, which is essential for thorough rim cleaning and chain maintenance. Ensure the bike is stable on a level, non-slip concrete surface.

Apply O-ring safe chain cleaner to the rear sprocket and chain. Use a dedicated 'Grunge Brush' to agitate all four sides of the links. This removes the 'black paste' (oil mixed with road grit) that causes premature wear. Rinse with low-pressure water only.

If the bike is covered in red outback dust, do not touch it. Use a leaf blower or compressed air to remove loose particles. This prevents dragging abrasive silica across the paint during the wet wash phase.

Cover the entire bike in a thick layer of snow foam. Allow it to dwell for 4-5 minutes, but do not let it dry. This encapsulates dirt and lubricates the surface. Watch for the foam changing colour to brown/grey, indicating it is pulling dirt away.

While the foam is active, use a soft boar's hair brush to agitate the fuel cap, switchgear, radiator fins, and bolt heads. These areas collect salt and minerals that lead to corrosion if not physically agitated.

Using the two-bucket method and a clean microfibre mitt, gently wash the paintwork. Start at the mirrors and tank, working down to the swingarm. Rinse the mitt in the 'rinse bucket' after every panel to ensure no grit is reintroduced to the paint.

Spray a dedicated iron remover onto the wheels and brake calipers. As it reacts with brake dust, it will turn purple. This chemical process dissolves embedded metallic particles that cause 'pitting' in alloy rims. Rinse thoroughly after 2-3 minutes.

Using a clay lubricant and a fine clay bar, gently glide over the tank and front fairings. You are removing 'industrial fallout' and organic matter (bug guts) that washing alone cannot remove. The surface should feel 'glass-smooth' to the touch.

Use a high-velocity blower to purge water from spark plug wells, switchgear, and the chain. Drying with a towel alone leaves water trapped in crevices, which leads to white mineral deposits (water spots) in the summer heat.

If swirl marks are present, use a dual-action polisher with a 3-inch pad and a fine finishing polish. Motorcycle paint is thin (often 80-100 microns), so use minimal pressure and check temperature frequently with your hand.

Wipe all surfaces to be protected with a 20% Isopropyl Alcohol solution. This removes any remaining polish oils or finger grease, ensuring the ceramic coating can form a permanent chemical bond with the substrate.

Apply 3-4 drops of ceramic coating to a suede applicator. Work in small 20cm x 20cm sections. For the engine and exhaust, use a high-temp specific coating. Wait for the 'flash' (it will look like an oil slick) then buff off with a fresh microfibre towel.

Once the chain is bone dry, apply a high-quality wax-based chain lube. Wax is preferred in dusty conditions as it doesn't attract as much 'red dust' as tacky oils. Wipe away excess to prevent 'fling' onto your freshly cleaned wheels.

Apply a UV-blocking protectant to unpainted plastics, hoses, and tyre sidewalls (avoid the tread!). Look for products containing UV absorbers to prevent the 'grey' fading common in the sun-drenched states.